Findings, conclusions, and recommendations concerning the role of the Federal Government in providing day care services are presented in this Summary Report, Part I of the Final Report. The six chapters of the report are as follows: 1. Statement of the Problem--identifies the social context in which day care and child development programs must be evaluated, and describes a range of Federal objectives that appear to be implied in current debate; 2. Existing Child Care System--examines the existing child care industry and the forces that have shaped its development; 3. Policy Issue: Should the Federal Government Provide More Day Care Services?--analyzes the question in relation to Federal objectives and social concerns, and evaluates the potential for achieving these objectives through increased involvement in day care services; 4. Policy Issue: Should Child Development Services Be Provided in Federally Supported Day Care Arrangements?--analyzes the relationship of day care to child development services, and discusses child development as an end in itself; 5. An Analysis of Alternative Federal Delivery System Strategies for Further Involvement in the Day Care Industry--analyzes the delivery system best suited to increased Federal involvement in day care, and makes recommendations; 6. Implementation--presents guidelines for legislation, and provides alternative forms of implementation of the proposals through suggested amendments and modifications of pending day care provisions in the proposed Social Security Act Amendment of 1971 and pending child development bills. Supporting appendixes to the report, Parts II through X, are bound separately (see PS 005 970 through PS 005 983.) (AL)